The story of Jesus Christ’s life is one of the most well-known in history. From the holy books that make up the Bible to historical accounts written by non-Christians, we have many records detailing how the Messiah lived and died. While the latter years of Jesus’ life have been extremely well-documented, his early years are […]
Exploring the Hidden Childhood of Jesus Not Found in Scripture Read More »
Christianity, despite being a monotheistic religion, is made up of remarkably diverse sects and doctrines. The three largest sects of Christianity are Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodox. So if all the sects worship the same God, what sets them apart? An important distinction between the major sects of Christianity lies within the scriptures they consider
The Apocrypha: Were Books Left Out of the Protestant Bible? Read More »
Studying the Bible is fundamentally an act of faith. However, given the numerous translations and versions available, it also allows for a fascinating exploration of theology and linguistics. Each version or translation can illuminate new shades of meaning, highlight certain theological aspects, and invoke new insights for the reader’s understanding of the scripture. While the
How Did We End Up with So Many Translations of the Bible? Read More »
Saint Augustine is credited by many to be the greatest thinker of Christian antiquity. Today, he is credited with synthesizing the religious principles of the Bible and prevailing Greek philosophy. He then presented it in a manner comprehensible to both medieval Roman Catholics and Renaissance Protestants. Ironically, however, in his time, Saint Augustine was considered
Saint Augustine and His Treatise On Grace and Free Will Read More »
The New Year celebrated in most parts of the world is January 1 of the Gregorian Calendar. While it doesn’t explicitly say that it’s the Christian New Year, the Gregorian Calendar was instituted by Pope Gregory XIII through a papal bull or edict in 1582. However, different cultures and religions have different New Years: This
History of Rosh HaShanah: The Jewish New Year Festival Read More »
Shambhala is a mythical place in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Europeans sought for years to find this much-talked-about location, but it does not exist on the physical plane. Speaking of Shambhala in 1985, the 14th Dalai Lama said: Although those with special affiliation may actually be able to go there through their karmic connection,
Kingdom of Shambhala: The Mystical City and Way of Life Read More »
They were first formed as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearance. However, because of their unique way of dancing to show worship, along with their actions when they prayed, they simply became known over time as “The Shakers.” They were also known for singing in tongues, whirling, and shouting during services. The
The Rise and Decline of Religious Group, the Shakers Read More »
Easter is primarily known as a Christian celebration that honors the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, not every Easter tradition is strictly Christian. For example, children enjoy the Easter bunny while hunting for colored eggs. How exactly did the eggs become part of the tradition? It has a lot to do with the pagan roots of
The Surprising Examples of Easter’s Pagan Roots Read More »
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for people of the Jewish faith. Beginning in the evening, ten days after the start of the Jewish New Year, called Rosh Hashanah, the holiday is supposed to be a day of prayer, fasting, forgiveness, and humility for all Jews worldwide. But what exactly is Yom
History and Customs of the Jewish Holiday, Yom Kippur Read More »
Gaul was a region in Europe inhabited by a number of tribes. It was eventually absorbed into the Roman Empire. This region in the present day contains the countries of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Northern Italy, and parts of the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. Little is known of life in pre-Roman Gaul, because there are virtually
What was life like in Ancient, Pre-Roman Gaul? Read More »
